HRS4R SEAL

The European Commission launched in 2004 EURAXESS, a pan-European initiative that supports mobility, professional development, and the recruitment of research talent within the European Research Area. EURAXESS also helps improve working and career conditions for researchers by supporting research and innovation institutions in applying the principles of the European Charter for Researchers through the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R).

It should be noted that, in December 2023, the Council of the European Union adopted a new European Charter for Researchers, which is part of the Recommendation on a European framework for attracting and retaining research, innovation, and entrepreneurial talent in Europe. This new Charter updates and replaces the previous 2005 framework, known as the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code), moving from the original 40 principles to a revised framework of 20 key principles. These principles are organized into four main pillars and reflect a more up-to-date view of research careers, more clearly incorporating aspects such as open science, gender equality, diversity, responsible evaluation, sustainability, intersectoral mobility, job security, continuous professional development, supervision, and mentoring.

The new Charter maintains a focus on the rights and responsibilities of researchers, employers, funders, and policymakers, and places special emphasis on the need to build research careers that are more attractive, sustainable, inclusive, and cross-sectoral. It also reinforces the importance of open, transparent, and merit-based selection processes, as well as the recognition of diverse career paths both within and outside the academic sphere.

The Foundation for the Management of Biomedical Research at Cádiz( FCÁDIZ), as aManagement Entity e of INiBICA and in line with its strategic and human resources planning, recognizes the importance of providing an appropriate institutional framework to attract, retain, and develop research talent, thereby promoting high-quality research careers at Cádiz and contributing to the development and consolidation of the European Research Area.

The HRS4R procedure, managed by the European Commission through EURAXESS, is currently administered via the e-Tool electronic platform, which allows for the submission, updating, and evaluation of the “ Documentation ” related to the HR Excellence in Research recognition. This procedure has been progressively updated to align with the new European Charter for Researchers, adopted in December 2023, which replaces the previous 2005 framework—known as the Charter & Code—and reorganizes its principles into a revised framework of 20 key principles.

The HRS4R process involves an initial phase of institutional adherence to the European Charter for Researchers, followed by the development of a Gap Analysis and an Action Plan. These documents help identify the extent to which the institution aligns with European principles and define improvement measures in areas such as open, transparent, and merit-based hiring; working conditions; equality; scientific integrity; open science; and the professional development of research staff.

Following a positive initial evaluation, the institution receives the HR Excellence in Research designation and enters a phase of implementation and monitoring. Approximately two years after the designation is awarded, an Interim Assessment is conducted to review the degree of implementation of the Action Plan, analyze the progress made, and update the improvement measures for the next period.

The organization adopted the principles of the Charter and Code on September 21, 2022; applied for the HR Excellence in Research seal on July 31, 2023; received the HR Excellence in Research designation on January 30, 2024 ; and underwent the interim assessment on January 31, 2026, proposing a new Action Plan for the 2026–2029 period. In this new cycle, the implementation of HRS4R is progressively aligned with the updated principles of the new European Charter for Researchers, reinforcing the institutional commitment to human resources management based on excellence, transparency, equality, scientific integrity, open science, sustainability, and the professional development of research staff.

FCÁDIZ adopted the principles of the Charter and Code on September 21, 2022, applied for the HR Excellence in Research seal on July 31, 2023, and received the certification on January 30, 2024. Subsequently, after completing the first phase of implementation, it submitted its interim evaluation on January 31, 2026, along with an updated Gap Analysis and a new Action Plan for the 2026–2029 period.

Therefore, FCÁDIZ/INiBICA is currently in the post-midterm evaluation phase, focused on consolidating the progress made and implementing the new HRS4R action plan. This stage involves moving toward the future renewal of the seal, reinforcing the continuous improvement of institutional human resources policies in research and ensuring their alignment with the updated principles of the new European Charter for Researchers.

The documents generated by FCÁDIZ in the HRS4R process can be viewed below:

Letter of Endorsement.
GAP Analysis (2023–2025) // GAP Analysis (2026–2030).
Action Plan (2023–2026) // Action Plan (2026–2029).

If you have any trouble downloading the files mentioned above, you can access them via the following link.

OTMR FC Cádiz - INiBICA Policy

OTM-R Policy.
OTM-R Policy.

If you have any trouble downloading the files mentioned above, you can access them via the following link.

FCÁDIZ - INiBICA EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY PLAN I

FCÁDIZ-INiBICA ’s First Equality and Diversity Plan applies to the staff of the Foundation for the Management of Biomedical Research at Cádiz (FCÁDIZ), as Management Entity of INiBICA. The First Equality and Diversity Plan enshrines the principle of equal opportunity—from staff recruitment to promotion, appropriate training, working and employment conditions, occupational health monitoring, proper organization of working hours and work-life balance, prevention of and action against sexual and gender-based harassment, as well as the non-discriminatory use of language in communication and advertising—as principles to be applied at FCÁDIZ.

If you have any trouble downloading the files mentioned above, you can access them via the following link.